1. Romantic Era: This refers to a specific period in literary history (roughly 1789-1830) that was characterized by certain themes, styles, and values. Some key features of Romantic literature include:
* Emphasis on emotion and imagination: Romantic writers often celebrated individual feelings, intuitions, and subjective experiences, placing them above reason and tradition.
* Emphasis on nature: Nature was seen as a source of inspiration, beauty, and spiritual connection.
* Emphasis on the individual: Romanticism celebrated the uniqueness and autonomy of the individual, often focusing on rebels, outcasts, and unconventional heroes.
* Emphasis on the supernatural and gothic: Romantic literature often explored the dark side of human nature, featuring elements of the supernatural, mystery, and the grotesque.
* Emphasis on nationalism and national identity: Romantics often explored themes of national pride and the importance of cultural heritage.
Examples of Romantic writers: William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Keats.
2. Romance genre: This refers to a genre of fiction that typically focuses on the development of a romantic relationship between two individuals.
* Key elements: Romance often features love, courtship, passion, and the overcoming of obstacles to achieve a happy ending.
* Subgenres: Within the romance genre, there are many subgenres, such as historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and erotica.
Examples of romance writers: Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, and Nicholas Sparks.
Important Note: It's crucial to consider the context when encountering the term "romantic" in literature. It can refer to a specific historical era or to a genre of fiction.
For example, saying "Shakespeare's plays are Romantic" would refer to the Romantic era. Conversely, saying "The Notebook is a romance novel" would refer to the romance genre.